FIVE hardy walkers were lured out to join John R from Penarth and District Ramblers for a walk in the Ogwr valley and upon their arrival at Lewistown they were met by low cloud and mist which in actual fact remained with them all day.

Climbing out of Pant-yr-awel at the valley bottom and up through fields towards the ridgeway, a delightful little medieval church dedicated to St Cein graces the hillside.

Also known as Cein the Virgin or Cein the Bright by the Welsh, this female saint born AD 461 and a daughter to King Brychan left home when her father insisted she marry a local prince and set-up a religious settlement in an area now known as Keynesham in Somerset.

The area she chose was riddled with snakes but after praying that every snake would be turned to stone by the following day all the snakes had gone.

Later she embarked on a pilgrimage to Cornwall until eventually St Cadog persuaded her to return home to south Wales and arriving at Allt yr Esgair, which later became Llangeinor, she struck a holy well and upon her death in October AD 505 was buried on Mynydd Llangeinor.

With mist closing in straight away making it feel damp and contending with a cold breeze and tramping along the ridgeway northwards on the west side of Cwm Ogwr Fawr, their expected views were very poor because of the conditions.

During the 1920s and 30s in order to bring work into an area that contained only dead-end valleys a relief scheme in the form of building roads with hairpin bends was put into operation.

This was to open up the valleys in order to connect them with main roads and arriving at the head of the valley and following pathways on the very edge of the steep craggy Craig Ogwr, despite the low cloud this fine example of road building lay below them.

Stopping for lunch at a viewpoint where clever sheep know that if they hang about for long enough there is a chance they will be fed titbits, the clouds parted just long enough for brief views of the Rhondda valley.

Then crossing to the east side of Cwm Ogwr Fawr in order to make their return journey southwards by means of pathways through the western side of the vast Ogmore Forest, the noise made by wind turbines alerted them to the fact they were passing through a windfarm which they could not see because of the dense mist.

Then descending back into the valley at the end of their 12.5-mile walk, feeling very wet and cold but still in good spirits, they made a vow to return again and repeat the route in better weather.

Thanks are sent from Glenys, Judy, Sheila, David and Will to leader John not only for taking the trouble to bake a delicious coffee cake but in sharing it with them, in fact it seemed to be the highlight of this particular walk.

On March 4, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile moderate walk at Wentwood; contact Sue G on 07954 139 946.

On March 5, meet 9am at Cogan for a 10.5-mile mod/hard walk at Lydbrook in the Wye Valley; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group please log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.